Configurable switch for asymmetric communication

ABSTRACT

A networking device including at least two asymmetric communication ports. at least one of the asymmetric communication ports is a self-configurable asymmetric port and the self-configurable asymmetric port is configured automatically and able to support high throughput communications. Also disclosed a switch supporting uncompressed video comprising self-configurable asymmetric ports. The switch configured to automatically set the self-configurable asymmetric ports to support direction of communication of asymmetric end-devices coupled to the self-configurable asymmetric ports.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US09/64638, filed Nov. 16, 2009, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/115,099,filed Nov. 16, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

In telecommunications, the term asymmetric communication link refers toa communication link in which the data speed or quantity differs in onedirection as compared with the other direction. Asymmetric data flowcan, in some instances, make more efficient use of the availableresources than symmetric data flow, in which the speed or quantity ofdata is the same in both directions. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line(ADSL) is an example of asymmetric communication link. Completetheoretical descriptions, details, explanations, examples, andapplications of these, and related subjects and phenomena are readilyavailable in standard references in the field of communications.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a networking device comprising at least twoasymmetric communication ports. At least one of the asymmetriccommunication ports is a self-configurable asymmetric port. And theself-configurable asymmetric port is configured automatically and isable to support high throughput communications.

In one embodiment, a networking device comprising at least twoself-configurable asymmetric ports. The networking device is able toautomatically set communication directions of the self-configurableasymmetric ports according to end-devices that are coupled to the atleast two self-configurable asymmetric ports.

In one embodiment, a switch supporting uncompressed video comprisingself-configurable asymmetric ports. The switch configured toautomatically set the self-configurable asymmetric ports to supportdirection of communication of asymmetric end-devices coupled to theself-configurable asymmetric ports.

In one embodiment, an asymmetric switch comprising ports of a firsttype. Each port of the first type can function as an asymmetric inputport or as an asymmetric output port based on communication direction ofan asymmetric end-device coupled to it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings. No attempt is made to showstructural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessaryfor a fundamental understanding of the embodiments. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate communication links for different types of dataover the same wires, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A illustrates an asymmetric communication link, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a symmetric communication link, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates a self-configurable asymmetric link, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a network, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a symmetric communication link over the same wires,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a self-configurable asymmetric link, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a self-configurable asymmetric link, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an analog front end for an asymmetric communicationlink, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate end-devices coupled to an asymmetricnetwork, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8C and FIG. 8D illustrate an idiot proof switch havingself-configurable asymmetric ports, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment in which data about a user is recordedby tracking devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.However, the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without someof these specific details. In other instances, well-known hardware,software, materials, structures and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Inthis description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” meanthat the feature being referred to may be included in at least oneembodiment of the invention. Moreover, separate references to “oneembodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment. Illustrated embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unlessso stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art. Thus, the invention may include any variety ofcombinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.Also herein, flow diagrams illustrate non-limiting embodiment examplesof the methods, and block diagrams illustrate non-limiting embodimentexamples of the devices. Some operations in the flow diagrams may bedescribed with reference to the embodiments illustrated by the blockdiagrams. However, the methods of the flow diagrams could be performedby embodiments of the invention other than those discussed withreference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed withreference to the block diagrams could perform operations different fromthose discussed with reference to the flow diagrams.

Moreover, although the flow diagrams may depict serial operations,certain embodiments could perform certain operations in parallel and/orin different orders from those depicted. Moreover, the use of repeatedreference numerals and/or letters in the text and/or drawings is for thepurpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate arelationship between the various embodiments and/or configurationsdiscussed.

Furthermore, methods and mechanisms of the embodiments will sometimes bedescribed in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted thatsome embodiments may include multiple iterations of a method or multipleinstantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, whena controller or an interface are disclosed in an embodiment, the scopeof the embodiment is intended to also cover the use of multiplecontrollers or interfaces.

FIG. 2A illustrates an asymmetric communication link. The term“asymmetric communication link” as used herein refers to a full-duplexcommunication link featuring high throughput communication in onedirection and lower throughput communication in the other direction. Forexample, HDMI and DisplayPort are full-duplex asymmetric communicationlinks featuring high throughput communication comprising video, audio,and data in one direction, and low throughput bidirectional datacommunication.

FIG. 2B illustrates a symmetric communication link. The term “symmetriccommunication link” refers to a communication link featuring highthroughputs in both directions, simultaneously. For example, an Ethernetcommunication link is a symmetric communication link.

FIG. 2C illustrates a self-configurable asymmetric link. The term“self-configurable asymmetric link” as used herein refers to acommunication link capable of transmitting either a high throughput in afirst direction and a lower throughput in the second direction, or ahigh throughput in the second direction and a lower throughput in thefirst direction. In some embodiments, the self-configurable asymmetriclink may also have a manual configuration mode.

The term “high throughput” generally refers to a throughput higher than1.1 Gbps, while the term “low throughput” or “lower throughput” refersto a throughput which is, at the most, one third of the “highthroughput”. For example, the high throughput may range fromapproximately 0.5 Gbps to approximately 20 Gbps, while the lowerthroughput may range from approximately 1 Kbps to approximately 5 Gbps.

The term “asymmetric communication port” also covers full-duplexasymmetric wireless connection. For example, the phrase “a switchcomprising at least two asymmetric communication ports” also covers afull-duplex wireless switch comprising at least two full-duplexasymmetric wireless connections.

The term “networking device” as used herein refers to a device thatmediates data in a computer/multimedia network, such as, but not limitedto, a switch, a gateway, a router, a bridge, a hub, a daisy-chaindevice, and/or a repeater.

The term “wired switch” is to be interpreted as a non-wireless switch,such as a switch having any kind of port designed for conductive wiresand/or fiber optics. In the claims, the term “self-configurable wiredasymmetric link” is to be interpreted as a non-wirelessself-configurable asymmetric link, such as a conductiveself-configurable asymmetric link, or a fiber optics self-configurableasymmetric link.

FIG. 1A-1D illustrate communication links for different types of dataover the same wires, as discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/703,080, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3 illustrates a network comprising asymmetric communication links(351, 353, 355, and 385), a self-configurable asymmetric link 383, andsymmetric communication links 361 and 381. In one embodiment, theasymmetric communication links connect asymmetric devices, such asmultimedia sinks, multimedia sources, printers, or certain storagedevices; the self-configurable asymmetric links may connect asymmetricdevices or self-configurable asymmetric devices; and the symmetric portsmay communicate with asymmetric devices, self-configurable asymmetricdevices, or symmetric devices.

The hybrid system illustrated by FIG. 3 may provide a cost-effectivesolution for a network comprising asymmetric devices and symmetricand/or self-configurable asymmetric devices.

Self-configurable asymmetric devices are devices that set a connectionin a first direction and thereafter can reverse the direction.Non-limiting examples of such devices include switches that can reversethe link direction upon request, and a device that can act both as avideo source and as a video sink, such as a first television having atuner that is able to transmit uncompressed video to a secondtelevision, which may not have a tuner.

Referring to switch 360, the ports coupled to the asymmetric links (351,353, and 355) may be asymmetric communication ports, self-configurableasymmetric ports, or symmetric ports. A solution where the ports coupledto the asymmetric links are asymmetric communication ports may be theleast expensive solution, but it should comprise some designated portsfor sink devices, and some designated ports for source devices. Asolution where the ports coupled to the asymmetric links are symmetricports provides the highest flexibility, but may be expensive. A solutionwhere some or all of the ports coupled to the asymmetric links areself-configurable asymmetric ports may provide similar flexibilities tothose provided by the symmetric solution, at a reasonable cost. Forexample, a solution comprising self-configurable asymmetric ports mayutilize the same ports for all asymmetric links, and does not have toinclude some designated ports for sink devices and some designated portsfor source devices.

In one embodiment, the communication link between switches, such ascommunication link 361, is a symmetric communication link or aself-configurable asymmetric link.

A Self-Configurable Asymmetric Link

In one embodiment, the self-configurable asymmetric link is implementedover the same cable. In another embodiment, the self-configurableasymmetric link is implemented over a plurality of wires coupled to asingle connector (at least at one of the ends). In another embodiment,the self-configurable asymmetric link is implemented over a wirelesschannel. Herein, the directionality of the self-configurable asymmetriclink is determined by the direction of the high throughput stream.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a self-configurable asymmetriclink, wherein the high throughput communication is transmitted over afirst medium 520, and the lower throughput communication is transmittedover a second medium 522. Optionally, the first medium and the secondmedium are in the same cable. Optionally, the first medium and thesecond medium are coupled to the same connectors at the ends of thecable.

Logics 560 and 562, may operate using a master-slave scheme, may featureequal importance, may use a distributed decision scheme, may beimplemented by the same logic, or may communicate with one another tocoordinate their operation. Logics 560 and 562 may manage the highthroughput channel and the lower throughput channel coordinately.Optionally, logic 560 determines whether transmitter 502 or receiver 504should be operated, and routes the signals to/from the selected deviceutilizing selector 510. Simultaneously, logic 562 determines whethertransmitter 530 or receiver 532 should be operated, and routes thesignals to/from the selected device utilizing selector 512. Both ends ofthe communication link are operated coordinately, meaning that thelogics operate transmitter 502 with receiver 532, or operate transmitter530 with receiver 504.

Optionally, logics 560 and 562 manage the lower throughput bidirectionalchannel 522 by setting transceivers 540 and 542 according to therequired behavior, which may be a function of the high throughputcommunication link's behavior. In one embodiment, the lower throughputbidirectional channel 522 is a symmetric channel.

In one embodiment, the self-configurable asymmetric link transfersmultimedia. In this case, logics 560 and 562 determine which sideoperates as the source and which side operates as the sink. In oneexample, communication link 500 transfers an HDMI-TMDS stream fromtransmitter 502 to receiver 532. In order for the HDMI controls to betransferred over the lower throughput bidirectional channel 522, logic560 sets transceiver 540 to be the I2C slave of its source device (notillustrated in the figure), and sets transceiver 542 to be the I2Cmaster of its sink device 570.

Optionally, logics 560 and 562 also manage the devices coupled to thecommunication link. For example, while transmitting from transmitter 530to receiver 504, logic 562 may connect source device 572 to transmitter530 and disconnect sink device 570 from receiver 532. Similarly, whiletransmitting from transmitter 502 to receiver 532, logic 562 may connectsink device 570 to receiver 532 and disconnect source device 572 fromtransmitter 530.

In FIG. 5, the unidirectional high throughput stream and thebidirectional lower throughput stream are transferred over differentmediums. Therefore, it is possible to have continuous communication overthe lower throughput channel while changing the communication propertiesover the high throughput channel. In one embodiment, the changes overthe high throughput channel are negotiated using messages communicatedover the lower throughput channel, which may operate continuously whilethe changes occur.

Managing a Self-Configurable Asymmetric Link

Initializing and/or changing the directionality of the self-configurableasymmetric link may be implemented using one of the followingembodiments or using any other embodiment leading to a similar endresult.

In one embodiment, the self-configurable asymmetric link is initializedin a bidirectional lower-throughput mode. Then the linked devices areable to negotiate with each other and determine the mode of operation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a self-configurable asymmetriclink, wherein the high throughput communication and the lower throughputcommunication are transmitted over the same wires 620.

In the case where the link directionality is from left to right,transmitter 602 receives and multiplexes the high and low throughputstreams; receiver 632 receives the multiplexed stream of the high andlow throughput streams and demultiplexes it to the high and the lowthroughput streams; transmitter 634 transmits the low throughput stream;and receiver 604 receives the low throughput stream. Similarly, in thecase where the link directionality is from right to left, transmitter636 receives and multiplexes the high and low throughput streams;receiver 606 receives the multiplexed stream of the high and lowthroughput streams, and demultiplexes it to the high and the lowthroughput streams; transmitter 608 transmits the low throughput stream;and receiver 638 receives the low throughput stream.

Selectors 614 and 644, optionally operated by logics 660 a and 660 b,determine whether transmitters 602, 634 and receivers 604, 632 should becoupled to the medium 620, or transmitters 608, 636 and receivers 606,638 should be coupled to the medium 620.

In one embodiment, the analog front-ends, which couple the transmittersand receivers to the medium 620, support the operation of the varioustransmitters and receivers. For example, the analog front-ends supportthe high throughput transmitter, the low throughput transmitter, thehigh throughput receiver, and the low throughput receiver.

When the high and low throughput communications are transmitted over thesame wires 620, all communications, including the low throughputcommunication, may stop upon changing the mode of operation ofcommunication link 600. Examples of changing the mode of operationinclude changing the directionality of the link, and/or changing certainproperties of the link, such as the rate or level of protection againstnoise.

In one embodiment, the communication link 600 has a low power partialfunctionality mode of operation, as discussed, for example, in US patentapplication publication number US2008/0291994, entitled “Low powerpartial functionality communication link”, which is incorporated hereinby reference and discloses a bidirectional low power mode of operationthat enables the elements coupled to the communication link to send andreceive messages and negotiate the required mode of operation. In oneembodiment, changing the link's mode of operation may comprise the stepsof: switching to a low power partial functionality mode of operation;negotiating the next mode of operation; and switching to the next modeof operation. In another embodiment, changing the link's mode ofoperation may comprise the steps of negotiating the next mode ofoperation and switching to the next mode of operation.

In one embodiment, before reversing the link directionality, the activehigh throughput receiver, which has already solved the channel responseand holds the channel properties (which include the channelcoefficients), forwards the channel properties to the second highthroughput receiver on the other side of the communication link. Andbecause some of the physical characteristics of the communication linkare symmetric, the second high throughput receiver on the other side mayuse some of these channel properties for fast-start. Optionally, theactive high throughput transmitter also forwards the channel propertiesto the second high throughput transmitter on the other side of thecommunication link.

In one embodiment, medium 620 comprises at least two wires, and the modeof operation is changed serially, first over one wire, and then over theother wire(s), such that at least a low throughput communication link iscontinuously maintained.

In one example, medium 620 is a CAT5e cable comprising 4 pairs of wires,and the communication link 600 is used for transferring HDMI andEthernet streams over all of the wires. In full throughput mode, thecommunication link 600 transfers over each pair of wires 2 Gbps in afirst direction and 250 Mbps in the opposite direction. Upon receiving arequest to change the directionality, the first two pairs of wirescontinue to work as before and maintain the communication over the link.At that time, the second two pairs of wires switch to a new mode ofoperation. After the second two pairs of wires establish communicationin the opposite direction, the first two pairs of wires switch to thenew mode of operation. Optionally, the communication over the first twopairs reaches its full throughput in the opposite direction before thesecond two pairs of wires change directionality. Alternatively, thecommunication over the first two pairs reaches an intermediatethroughput in the opposite direction before the second two pairs ofwires change directionality.

In one embodiment, an asymmetric communication link transmits in bothdirections over at least partially overlapping frequency bands. FIG. 7is a schematic illustration of one example of an analog front end forsuch an asymmetric communication link.

The logic 730 controls the characteristics of the transmitting and thereceiving paths. Referring to FIG. 7, the clock generated by the Tx PLL740 is manipulated by the divider 742 according to the logic 730, andprovided to the digital transmitter 744 and to the digital-to-analogconverter 746. In one embodiment, the low throughput transmitter clockis derived from the recovered clock of the PLL of the high throughputreceiver. In order to provide an asymmetric transmission, the logic 730controls the mode of operation of the digital transmitter 744, thebandwidth of the shaping filter 748 according to the required symbolrate (i.e. the logic 730 determines the mode of operation of the shapingfilter 748), and controls the transmission rate of the digital-to-analogconverter 746 using the divider 742 or by duplicating the transmitter's744 inputs as needed. The transmit and receive paths are coupled to ahybrid circuit 750 that is coupled to the communication medium.

In the receiving path, the hybrid circuit 750 is coupled to a variablegain amplifier 762 (VGA), which is coupled to an anti-aliasing filter764, which is coupled to an analog-to-digital converter 766, which iscoupled to the digital receiver 768. The logic 730 provides thereceiving path controls that are coordinated with the controls providedto the transmitting path. According to the required mode of operation ofthe communication link, the logic 730 may control the mode of operationof the anti-aliasing filter 764, may control the receiver's clock ratethrough the divider 772, and may control the receiver's mode ofoperation. The digital receiver 768 may provide the Rx PLL 770 withclock correction in order to recover the received symbol clock, and maycontrol the gain of the variable gain amplifier 762. The clock generatedby the Rx PLL 770 is manipulated by the divider 772 according to thelogic 730 and provided to the digital receiver 768 and to theanalog-to-digital converter 766. Alternatively, Tx PLL 740 and Rx PLL770 may be implemented by the same PLL coupled to one or moreinterpolators. In order to maintain the asymmetric channel, thetransmitting path and the receiving path work in opposite modes, meaningthat when the transmitting path operates in its high throughput mode,the receiving path operates in its low throughput mode, and vice versa.

Configurable Switch for Asymmetric Communication

In one embodiment, a switch for asymmetric devices comprisesself-configurable asymmetric ports, wherein the self-configurableasymmetric ports are automatically configured according to the devicesthat are connected to them. This switch does not require the user toconnect the sink and source devices to different ports.

In one embodiment, an idiot proof switch comprises multipleself-configurable asymmetric ports, wherein a user may connect cables toany appropriate self-configurable asymmetric port without worrying whichport is designed for source devices and which port is designed for sinkdevices. FIG. 8C and FIG. 8D illustrate an idiot proof switch 820 having5 self-configurable asymmetric ports, which enable a user to coupleasymmetric sink and source devices to any of the self-configurableasymmetric ports. Moreover, there is no need to change any physicalconnection and/or to manually configure the switch in order to use oneor more of the asymmetric devices coupled to switch 820.

In one embodiment, a device supporting daisy chain connection comprisesself-configurable asymmetric ports, and therefore it does not matter towhich of the ports the daisy chained devices are connected. I.e. thereare no designated input or output ports for the device, justself-configurable asymmetric ports, so the user may connect the daisychained devices to any of the ports.

In one embodiment, a multimedia network comprises edge devices havingasymmetric communication ports coupled to at least one switch comprisingself-configurable asymmetric ports that configure themselves accordingto the edge devices. Optionally, the switch also includes a symmetricport used for communicating with another switch.

In one embodiment, a multimedia switch includes a self-configurableasymmetric port that configures itself according to the edge deviceconnected to it.

In one embodiment, a switch comprises at least two different types ofports. For example, a switch may comprise: (i) one or more symmetriccommunication ports and a plurality of asymmetric communication ports,(ii) one or more symmetric communication ports and a plurality ofself-configurable asymmetric ports, (iii) a plurality of asymmetriccommunication ports and a plurality of self-configurable asymmetricports, or (iv) one or more symmetric communication ports, one or moreself-configurable asymmetric ports, and one or more asymmetriccommunication ports.

In one embodiment, a networking device comprising at least twoasymmetric communication ports, wherein at least one of the asymmetriccommunication ports is a self-configurable asymmetric port; wherein theself-configurable asymmetric port is configured automatically and isable to support high throughput communication. Optionally, theself-configurable asymmetric port couples the networking device with afirst end-device, and the networking device enables the first end-deviceto communicate with a second end-device coupled to another port of thenetworking device. Optionally, the networking device is a switch locatedat the user premises and supports high throughput communication overshort to medium distances at a relatively low cost. Optionally, theswitch is a wired switch that further comprising at least one symmetricport. Optionally, the switch is a wired switch and all of the ports areself-configurable asymmetric ports; whereby the switch is an idiot proofswitch. Optionally, the networking device is a multimedia repeater or adaisy-chain device.

In one embodiment, a networking device comprising at least twoself-configurable asymmetric ports; wherein the networking device isable to set automatically the direction of the self-configurableasymmetric ports according to the devices that are coupled to it.Optionally, the networking device is a daisy-chain device designed foruncompressed video applications and the self-configurable asymmetricports are self-configurable wired asymmetric ports.

In one embodiment, a switch for uncompressed video comprisingself-configurable asymmetric ports; the switch is adapted to set each ofits self-configurable asymmetric ports automatically according to thedirectionality of the end-device coupled to the port. Optionally, theend-devices are selected from video source devices and video sinkdevices. Optionally, the uncompressed video is uncompressed highdefinition digital video. Optionally, the switch is a wired switch, andthe asymmetric communication is transmitted over the same physicalwires. Optionally, the switch further comprising a negotiation modeenabling the switch to learn the directionality of the end-devicescoupled to its self-configurable asymmetric ports. Optionally, theswitch is a part of a network, and further comprising a control functionconfigured to change the network topology by changing the direction ofthe at least one self-configurable asymmetric port. Optionally, thecontrol function is implemented in the switch or in a device that iscoupled to the network. Optionally, most of the high bandwidth trafficcomprises data related to video pixels and most of the low bandwidthvideo traffic comprises non video pixel data.

In one embodiment, an asymmetric switch comprising ports of one type,wherein each port can function as an asymmetric input port or as anasymmetric output port based on the characteristics of the deviceconnected to it. Optionally, the asymmetric switch is a wired asymmetricswitch, and the ports coupled to high throughput source devices functionas asymmetric input ports. Optionally, the high throughput source deviceis a high definition video source device. Optionally, the asymmetricswitch is a wired asymmetric switch, and the ports coupled to video sinkdevices function as asymmetric output ports.

Configuring an Asymmetric Link Based on Monitored Commands

When possible, it is usually beneficial to initialize the direction ofthe self-configurable asymmetric link according to the directionrequired for achieving an expected user command. The initial directionmay be selected according to various methods, some of which aredescribed below. In one embodiment, upon receiving a user command, theswitch sets the link accordingly regardless of the number and theproperties of the end-devices coupled to one or more of the switches.

FIG. 8A illustrates an asymmetric network comprising switch 810 coupledto switch 820 through a self-configurable asymmetric link 830. Sinkdevices 812 and 814 are coupled to switch 810, while source devices 822,824, and 826 are coupled to switch 820. In this case, it is obvious thatthe direction of the self-configurable asymmetric link 830 should befrom switch 820 to switch 810, and optionally that direction isconfigured automatically.

FIG. 8B illustrates the case where an additional source device 816 iscoupled to switch 810 and an additional sink device 828 is coupled toswitch 820. Therefore, the direction of the self-configurable asymmetriclink 830 may be from 820 to 810, or from 810 to 820.

In one embodiment, the initial direction of the self-configurableasymmetric link 830 is determined based on the type and number ofdevices coupled to each switch, such that the selected directionmaximizes the number of devices capable of communicating with oneanother, also referred to as accessible devices. For example, threesources and one sink are coupled to switch 820, while one source and twosinks are coupled to switch 810. Therefore, the direction of theself-configurable asymmetric link 830 is set to be from switch 820 toswitch 810, thereby preferring communication between sources 822, 824,826 and sinks 812, 814, over communication between source 816 and sink828.

In one embodiment, the initial direction of the self-configurableasymmetric link 830 is determined based on the types and weightsassigned to the various devices, such that the selected directionmaximizes a predefined function. In a first example, source 822 isconsidered to be the most important source and as a result its assignedweight is equivalent to the weight of four regular sources. Therefore,the weighted equation is 6 sources on one side of the link against 1source on the other side of the link, and the direction of theself-configurable asymmetric link 830 is set to be from switch 820 toswitch 810. In a second example, source 816 is considered to be the mostimportant source and as a result its assigned weight is equivalent tothe weight of four regular sources. Therefore, the weighted equation is3 sources on one side of the link against 4 sources on the other side ofthe link, and the direction of the self-configurable asymmetric link 830is set to be from switch 810 to switch 820.

In one embodiment, the weights assigned to the various devices areselected based on prior usage statistics in order to select the morefrequent network topology as the default topology. Still referring toFIG. 8B, in one example, assuming the user usually watches contents fromsource 816 on sink 828, although switch 820 is coupled to a largeramount of sources than switch 810, because of the prior statistics theself-configurable asymmetric link will be initialized to the directionfrom switch 810 to switch 820. In one embodiment, the usage statisticsare measured by one or more of the switches. In a second embodiment, theusage statistics are measured by a control point. In a third embodiment,the usage statistics are gathered from one or more of the end-devices.In one embodiment, the usage statistics are measured by each port foritself.

In one embodiment, a networking device for uncompressed video comprisingself-configurable asymmetric ports; the networking device is coupled toend-devices configured to use multimedia control messages to controltheir operation; wherein the networking device is operative to monitorthe multimedia control messages transmitted through it and to set atleast one of the self-configurable asymmetric ports accordingly.Optionally, the networking device is a wired switch, and the multimediacontrol messages are CEC messages. Optionally, the switch sets theself-configurable asymmetric ports automatically based on the monitoredCEC commands. Optionally, the networking device is further operative toapply a stream migration operation based on the monitored multimediacontrol messages. Optionally, the networking device changes the networktopology by setting the direction of the self-configurable asymmetricport. Optionally, the networking device is a multimedia repeater.Optionally, the networking device is a daisy-chain device. Optionally,the end-devices are selected from video source devices and video sinkdevices. Optionally, the networking device is a wired switch, and theuncompressed video is uncompressed high definition digital video.Optionally, the asymmetric communication is transmitted in full-duplexover the same wires. Optionally, the networking device furthercomprising a negotiation mode enabling the switch to learn/negotiate thedirectionality of the end-devices coupled to its self-configurableasymmetric ports.

In one embodiment, a method for setting a self-configurable asymmetricport, comprising: monitoring multimedia control messages exchanged withan end-device coupled to the self-configurable asymmetric port;identifying a multimedia control message that points to an activityrequiring a different configuration of the port; and setting theself-configurable asymmetric port accordingly. Optionally, themultimedia control messages are CEC messages. Optionally, the methodfurther comprising applying a stream migration operation based on themonitored multimedia control messages. Optionally, the method furthercomprising changing the network topology by setting the direction of theself-configurable asymmetric port. Optionally, the method furthercomprising learning the directionality of the end-device before settingthe direction of the self-configurable asymmetric port. Optionally, themethod further comprising changing at least some of the multimediacontrol messages for generating a required network view. In oneembodiment, a wired switch for uncompressed video comprisingself-configurable asymmetric ports; the switch is coupled to end-devicesconfigured to use control messages to control their operation; whereinthe switch is configured to monitor the control messages transmittedthrough it, configured to change at least some of the control messagestransmitted through it, or create spoofed control messages, in order togenerate a required network view, and configured to automatically set atleast one of the self-configurable asymmetric ports according to themonitored control messages. Optionally, the switch changes the networktopology by setting the directionality of the self-configurableasymmetric port. Optionally, the control messages are CEC messages, andthe switch is further configured to apply a stream migration operationbased on the monitored CEC messages. Optionally, the end-devices areselected from video source devices and video sink devices. Optionally,the uncompressed video is uncompressed high definition digital video.Optionally, the asymmetric communication is transmitted in full-duplexover the same wires. Optionally, the uncompressed video furthercomprising a negotiation mode enabling the switch to learn thedirectionality of the end-devices coupled to its self-configurableasymmetric ports.

In one embodiment, a network comprising two networking devices connectedvia a self-configurable asymmetric link; sink and source devices arecoupled to the networking devices; and the networking devices areoperative to determine the direction of the self-configurable asymmetriclink based on the distribution of the various sink and source devicescoupled to the networking devices. Optionally, the networking devicesare wired switches designed for uncompressed video. Optionally, thedefault direction of the self-configurable asymmetric link maximizes thenumber of source devices that may be connected to a selected sinkdevice. Optionally, the default direction of the self-configurableasymmetric link maximizes the number of available source devices andsink devices. Optionally, at least one of the networking devices is awired router or a wired daisy-chain device.

In one embodiment, an uncompressed multimedia network comprising: afirst networking device coupled to a second networking device via aself-configurable asymmetric link; wherein the direction of theself-configurable asymmetric link is determined based on thecharacteristics of the devices connected to the first and the secondnetworking devices. Optionally, the networking devices are wiredswitches.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment in which data about a user is recordedby tracking devices 490-492 such as one or more biometric sensors,webcam, GPS, smartphone, etc. The data is transmitted to a multimediaswitch 850 that is connected to both a display device 990 and theInternet 492. Through the connection to the display device 990, the usercan see his data, and optionally select a program, such as apersonalized training program. Through the Internet connection, adistant user, such as the user's trainer or the user's family canreceive a status report of the user. Optionally, the received statusreport is transmitted to a second switch 852 coupled to a television991. By displaying the status report on the television 991, the user'sfamily can be updated without having to take specific actions such asaccessing www.facebook.com or other means.

In another embodiment, data measured by a smartphone is transmitted tothe switch, which immediately displays it on the television.

What is claimed is:
 1. A networking device comprising: a firstself-configurable asymmetric port configured to receive indication thatit is coupled to a second self-configurable asymmetric port; eachself-configurable asymmetric port can change its directionality; and thefirst self-configurable asymmetric port is configured to set itsdirectionality.
 2. The networking device of claim 1, wherein the firstself-configurable asymmetric port is coupled to a first asymmetriccommunication end-device, the second self-configurable asymmetric portis coupled to a second asymmetric communication end-device, and thefirst and second asymmetric communication end-devices communicate viathe first and second self-configurable asymmetric ports.
 3. Thenetworking device of claim 1, wherein the networking device is a switchlocated at user premises and supports high throughput communicationsover short to medium distances at a relatively low cost.
 4. Thenetworking device of claim 3, wherein the switch is a wired switch thatfurther comprises at least one symmetric port.
 5. The networking deviceof claim 3, wherein all of the ports are self-configurable asymmetricports; whereby the switch is an idiot proof switch.
 6. The networkingdevice of claim 1, wherein the networking device is a multimediarepeater or a daisy-chain device.
 7. The networking device of claim 1,wherein a command to set the directionality of the firstself-configurable asymmetric port is received from an element that isnot the first or the second self-configurable asymmetric port.
 8. A linkcomprising first and second self-configurable asymmetric ports; eachself-configurable asymmetric port can change its directionality; thefirst self-configurable asymmetric port is configured to select acommunication direction; and the second self-configurable asymmetricport is configured to configure itself according to the communicationdirection selected by the first self-configurable asymmetric port;whereby the communication directions are selected according toproperties of asymmetric communication end-devices coupled to the firstand second self-configurable asymmetric ports.
 9. The link of claim 8,wherein at least one of the asymmetric communication end-devices is amultimedia end-device having a predetermined asymmetric communicationcharacteristics.
 10. The link of claim 8, wherein the firstself-configurable asymmetric port is comprised in a daisy-chain deviceoperative to support uncompressed video applications and theself-configurable asymmetric ports are self-configurable wiredasymmetric ports.
 11. A switch comprising: first and secondself-configurable asymmetric ports configured to route asymmetriccommunication via the switch; the switch is configured to setdirectionality of the first and second self-configurable asymmetricports according to properties of asymmetric communication end-devicescoupled to the first and second self-configurable asymmetric ports. 12.The switch of claim 11, wherein the asymmetric communication end-deviceshandle uncompressed high definition digital video.
 13. The switch ofclaim 12, wherein the switch is a wired switch and communication over atleast one of the self-configurable asymmetric ports is transmitted infull-duplex mode over the same wires.
 14. The switch of claim 12,further comprising a negotiation mode enabling the switch to learndirectionality of the asymmetric communication end-devices coupled tothe first and second self-configurable asymmetric ports.
 15. The switchof claim 14, wherein the negotiation mode is a low power partialfunctionality mode.
 16. The switch of claim 11, wherein the switch is apart of a network, and further comprising a control function configuredto change topology of the network by changing communication direction ofat least one of the self-configurable asymmetric ports.
 17. The switchof claim 16, wherein the control function is implemented by the switchor by a device coupled to the network.
 18. The switch of claim 12,wherein the uncompressed video is uncompressed high definition digitalvideo, and most traffic related to the uncompressed high definitiondigital video comprises data related to video pixels; and wherein mostlow bandwidth traffic in the non-video direction comprises non-videopixel data.
 19. The switch of claim 11, wherein the switch is adapted toset at least one of the self-configurable asymmetric ports according toa command received from an element that is not at least one of theself-configurable asymmetric ports.
 20. An asymmetric switch comprising:a first self-configurable asymmetric port that can function as anasymmetric input port or as an asymmetric output port when it is coupledto a second self-configurable asymmetric port that can function as anasymmetric input port or as an asymmetric output port; and the firstself-configurable asymmetric port is configured to set itsdirectionality based on negotiation with the second self-configurableasymmetric port.
 21. The asymmetric switch of claim 20, wherein theasymmetric switch is a wired asymmetric switch, and the firstself-configurable asymmetric port is configured to function as anasymmetric input port when it is coupled to a high throughput source.22. The asymmetric switch of claim 21, wherein the high throughputsource is a high definition video source device.
 23. The asymmetricswitch of claim 20, wherein the asymmetric switch is a wired asymmetricswitch, and the first self-configurable asymmetric port is configured tofunction as an asymmetric output port when it is coupled to a videosink.
 24. The asymmetric switch of claim 20, wherein secondself-configurable asymmetric port is configured to set itsdirectionality based on the directionality of the firstself-configurable asymmetric port.
 25. The asymmetric switch of claim20, wherein the negotiation comprises forwarding data indicative ofend-devices coupled to the first and second self-configurable asymmetricports.